Komen Austin announces over $1 million in funds for breast cancer treatment, education & research

Komen Austin announces over $1 million in grants for 2013

On Tuesday, Komen Austin, the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen, announced its community partner grant recipients for 2013-2014. Despite a decrease in available funds, Komen Austin will grant over $1 million to local and global breast cancer awareness efforts — $713,000 has been allocated to local organizations; $333,000 to global research.

2013-2014 grant applications were reviewed by an anonymous panel and recipients were selected based on service gaps identified by Komen Austin's community profile. The six community partners who received funding will implement breast health services for uninsured and underinsured individuals in Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Hays and Bastrop counties.

The local nonprofit partners benefiting from 2013 Komen Austin funding are: The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, The University of Texas at Austin Family Wellness Center, Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, Samaritan Health Ministries, and Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing.

While Komen Austin is proud to provide funding to these six local nonprofits, for the first time in its history, Komen Austin was not able to award grants to all qualifying applicants. Even in the face of adversity, the organization has no plans to slow down future funding.

"This year, we are fortunate to have community partners that provide the most necessary breast health care services for so many, but we won’t be satisfied until every qualified grant application can be funded — because that is how we save lives," said Christy Casey-Moore, executive director of Komen Austin.

"Turning grants down means there is potential for women to go without needed care, ultimately putting their lives at risk. Our team is working to ensure funds are raised throughout this year and every year through events like our Perfectly Pink Party in the spring, the annual Race for the Cure in the fall."

Komen Austin's upcoming fundraising events can be found on the organization's website. Whether it's money or time that you can donate, "we need the community’s support to save these women's lives," said Rick Reeder, Komen Austin board president.